Barcelona-Manchester United Preview

Today’s game is an interesting match up for me. Though a Madrid supporter, I have a great admiration for Barcelona. I used to hate them in an elementary way of a fan preconditioned to loathe a rival. It all changed for me back in ’06 when they put the UNICEF logo on the shirts. I had read they were looking for a kit sponsor some time back, and thought that the last bastion of non-commercialism in sport was going to fall. The fact that instead of signing a multi-million dollar deal to sell their shirts, Barcelona actually donates over $2 million to UNICEF to carry their logo on their shirts is amazing, and proves the fact that they are indeed, més che un club. As my frigidness began to wane and I looked past my prejudices, I began to appreciate the flowing, attractive football that they played and even what the club meant to the city and Catalunya as a whole.

Contrast my begrudging respect for Barça for my utter contempt for ManU, and I will be loudly pulling for the blaugrana today. As most hatreds are, mine for United is blind and arbitrary. The things and players I have hated the most, the violent Roy Keene, the petulant Wayne Rooney, the cheating scumbag vile Ronaldo, have been roles played by members of my favorite team [dirty Diarra and Ramos, ill-tempered Guti, swan diving Robben]. However, United is and will always be for me a second rate outfit whose 2 Champions League trophies ties them with Nottingham Forrest and Benefica [who have appeared in 5 more finals]. How is that for a balanced approach?

As to today’s game, I think Barça have a shot. United’s lineup will not feature Rooney, and will feature both Park and Nani. I don’t get it with either of those two, they never seem to do anything that makes me think they belong on the same pitch with Tevez, Ronaldo, and the like. Plus I have seen Vidic as their best defender of late and do not think Wes Brown in the middle can handle the Barcelona attack. As to Barcelona’s team selection, I think United could have their hands full with Messi on for much of the 90 minutes.

The big problem I see with United is that they are used to having the ball in domestic competitions, and do not seem to play well without it. I see Barcelona getting one from a hookup between Zambrotta and Messi and hanging on for a 1-1 tie after Ronaldo gets one back for United. That would send Barcelona on to the finals.